“Among the standout wines of this remarkable vintage.“ - The Wine Advocate, 98 points

“I think that a case can already be made that 2021, an outstanding vintage that will go down in history as one of the all-time greats for the Langhe, is actually even better in Barbaresco than in Barolo.” - Ian d’Agata

The Rabaja vineyard lays at the conjunction of the two main ridges that form the Barbaresco village, one starting at Rabajà and going West towards the Tanaro River (with progressively less calcium and higher fertility in the soil) and the other one that goes from Rabajà to Ovello, south to north (with higher calcium content in the soil). The meeting of these two different soils give to Rabajà its incredible complexity. Bordering both Asili and Muncagota it combines the personality of those two great vineyards with and extra richness due to the south/west warm exposure. First produced as a single vineyard in 1970.

Press reviews:

The Wine Advocate: “Based on growing intensity, the Produttori del Barbaresco 2021 Barbaresco Riserva Rabajà was tasted last in this series. It is beautifully defined by a distinctive mineral note of crushed chalk and flinty stone. There is plenty of elegant fruit with wild berry, sour cherry and blue flower aromas, but everything is framed by that precise dusty-mineral signature that gives the wine its strong sense of identity. The balance between fruit and minerality is especially compelling, with neither element overwhelming the other. Sourced from 3.7 hectares of vines on calcareous clay soils, Rabajà shows fine-grained tannins, exceptional length and a level of focus that places it among the standout wines of this remarkable vintage. Drink 2027-2055.” 98 points (Highest-scoring Barbaresco/Barolo of 480 tasted)

Jeb Dunnuck (ex-The Wine Advocate): “The 2021 Barbaresco Riserva Rabajà pours a jeweled red color and reveals layered aromatics of licorice candies, fresh cherry, redcurrant, violet, and crystalline mineral tones. Medium-bodied, it has excellent balance, with savory tobacco accents, refined red fruit, and beautifully shaped tannins. I love the structure here as well as the overall harmony of the wine. Drink 2027-2050.” 98 points

Decanter: “From the warm, southwest-exposed vineyards along one of Barbaresco’s most revered ridges, the 2021 echoes the complexity of soil and nuances of terrain with the resolute backbone this site is notorious for. With coaxing, it becomes rather evocatively scented. Sweet herbs and juniper emerge, followed by orange and baking spice, yet the austere palate still needs to catch up. All is simmering at the intense red berry core, while well-toned, muscular tannins provide plenty to chew on. These are stony and finessed but will require time. Mouthwatering and long on the finish. Drink 2029-2043.” 97 points

JancisRobinson.com: “Lustrous mid ruby with orange tinges. Savoury and minerally on the nose with slumbering rich cherry fruit and hints of cinnamon bark. Subdued complexity that demands more time in bottle to fully come out. Supple and juicy yet tight and closed on the palate. Bags of chalky tannins that are perfectly integrated in the fruit, yet this is far from ready. Drink 2030-2046.” 17.5 points